Rorisang Modiba brings you the latest news from around the world.
Los Angeles – At least 24 people have died, and many are still missing as strong winds hamper the battle against LA’s huge fires. The continuing raging inferno has reached a critical point as firefighters make progress. However, strong winds are making the situation dangerous again. People are now debating whether LA was prepared for such fires. Scientists say climate change is worsening these fires like never before.
UK – Britain’s deep freeze will end on Monday, but melting snow and ice might cause floods. The Environment Agency warns that rivers may overflow in Yorkshire and the Humber. Northern parts of the UK, including Northern Ireland and Scotland, will experience the biggest changes as warm air moves in from the sea. Night temperatures will rise to 10°C in Scotland and between -1°C and 3°C in England and Wales.
Chad – The party governing Chad has won most seats in the country’s vote, taking 124 out of 188 places in parliament. About half the country voted on 29 December as Chad tries to return to normal governance after President Deby assumed power when his father died in 2021. However, other political parties, including Succes Masra’s group, refused to participate, claiming the vote was unfair. The government denies these allegations.
California – Kim Kardashian has asked California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, to pay prisoner firefighters more for fighting the LA fires. She posted on Instagram that these firefighters only earn R19 (US$1) an hour — the same pay rate since 1984. A proposal to raise their pay to R95 (US$5) an hour was rejected. Kardashian says they deserve higher pay for such dangerous work.
Israel – Thousands marched in Tel Aviv on Saturday, calling for peace and the return of hostages from Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sent Mossad chief David Barnea to Qatar to discuss peace with Hamas. Since the war began on 7 October 2023, following a Hamas attack on Israel, more than 46,000 people have died in Gaza, many of them women and children. Israel claims to have killed 17,000 fighters, while Gaza’s doctors say most casualties were civilians. A third of the hostages are believed to be dead.
Pictured above: The wildfires.
Source: File
